FWIW....

I just looked at a Rivendell....at my LBS (which is a dealer) and the build quality is simply beautiful.

I personally have have a lot of pain issues with flat bars and really advise people to stay away from them unless they are actually mountain bike riding..... here is a simple example, relax and drop your hands to your side....and then just lift them up....the natural position for your hands is palm facing the body

but handle bars are easy to change.....doesn't look like you can lose with either of these bikes.

I am not sure about the suitability of the Cheviot for IGH, the drop out does not allow for adjustment, so IGH would not be as clean. I have never gotten the feeling that Grant Petersen was an IGH fan.